After issuing warnings it may have to close down half its nuclear fleet, Exelon, Thursday, introduced a proposal it says would keep them open.
It signals the start of what's expected to be a long debate over Illinois' energy policy. Exelon is one of Illinois' biggest, and most powerful corporations.
"No one from Exelon has ever denied that the company is profitable. It is."
That's Exelon's Joe Dominguez.
"What we're talking about is the profitability of units that are persistently losing money and our inability to keep those units open unless we recognize the important attributes that they provide."
By units, he means nuclear plants. Specifically, those in the Quad Cities, Byron and Clinton. Exelon wants most of big utilities' energy to come from low-carbon sources. Basically, customers would likely pay more for power that doesn't contribute to global warming.
But critics say Exelon is asking for a bailout, and trying to hobble their green competitors like wind and solar power.